Digital photographing apparatus and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus is provided. The control method includes detecting a gesture of a user for the digital photographing apparatus using a plurality of video images sequentially generated according to live view photographing, changing an operation of the digital photographing apparatus to a zoom adjustment mode when the detected gesture of the user includes a preset first user gesture, and controlling a zooming state of the digital photographing apparatus step-by-step according to a moving path of a second user gesture after the first user gesture has ended, when the operation mode has been changed to the zoom adjustment mode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No.10-2013-0009959, filed on Jan. 29, 2013, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Apparatuses and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate toa digital photographing apparatus and a control method thereof, and moreparticularly, to a digital photographing apparatus which controls azooming state according to a gesture of a user and a control methodthereof

2. Related Art

With the development of electronic technology, various kinds ofelectronic apparatuses have been developed and sold in the market. Inparticular, electronic apparatuses such as digital photographingapparatuses based on excellent IT technology have also been developed.

In the recent years, demands for the most advanced digital photographingapparatuses have been increased due to reduction in cost and improvementin performance of the most advanced digital photographing apparatuses.Therefore, there is a need for a more convenient method of using themost advanced digital photographing apparatus.

SUMMARY

One or more exemplary embodiments may overcome the above disadvantagesand other disadvantages not described above. However, it is understoodthat one or more exemplary embodiment are not required to overcome thedisadvantages described above, and may not overcome any of the problemsdescribed above.

One or more exemplary embodiments provide a digital photographingapparatus which controls a zooming state step-by-step according to amoving path of a second user gesture after a preset first user gesturehas ended, when an operation mode of the digital photographing apparatushas been changed to a zoom adjustment mode according to the first usergesture and a control method thereof.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a method of controlling a digitalphotographing apparatus is provided. The control method may include:detecting a gesture of a user of the digital photographing apparatususing a plurality of video images sequentially generated according tolive view photographing; changing an operation mode of the digitalphotographing apparatus to a zoom adjustment mode when the detectedgesture of the user includes a preset first user gesture; andcontrolling a zooming state of the digital photographing apparatusstep-by-step according to a moving path of a second user gesture afterthe first user gesture has ended, when the operation mode has beenchanged to the zoom adjustment mode.

The detecting may include calculating a motion vector using theplurality of video images, and detecting the gesture of the user usingthe calculated motion vector.

The method may further include determining whether the calculated motionvector is calculated in a partial image area of the plurality of videoimages or in an entire image area of the plurality of video images. Thedetecting may include detecting the gesture of the user using the motionvector calculated after the plurality of video images are post-processedwhen the motion vector is calculated in the entire image area, anddetecting the gesture of the user using the motion vector directlycalculated from the plurality of video images when the motion vector iscalculated in the partial image area.

The control method may further include determining the gesture of theuser as the preset first user gesture when an angle magnitude of adirection component of the calculated motion vector is changed by apreset angle magnitude.

The controlling may include performing a zoom-in operation when a movingdirection of the second user gesture is the same as that of the firstuser gesture; and performing a zoom-out operation when the movingdirection of the second user gesture is opposite to that of the firstuser gesture. The moving direction of the first user gesture may be aclockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction.

A zoom magnification according to the zoom-in operation or the zoom-outoperation may be controlled step-by-step based on a moving distance ofthe second user gesture from an ending point of the first user gesture.

The first user gesture and the second user gesture may be gesturesdrawing an arc shape.

The control method may further include stopping the zoom-in operation orthe zoom-out operation after a preset period of time has elapsed from apoint of time when the zoom magnification is maximized, a point of timewhen the zoom magnification is minimized, or a point of time when thesecond user gesture is stopped; and performing image capturing when apreset third user gesture for performing the image capturing isdetected.

The control method my further include receiving an selection of agesture photographing mode in which the digital photographing apparatusis controlled by the gesture of the user; and displaying a patternhaving a shape corresponding to the gesture of the user on a screen whenthe gesture photographing mode is selected. The control method may beperformed when the gesture photographing mode is selected.

The first user gesture, the second user gesture, and the third usergesture may be hand gestures.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a digital photographing apparatusis provided. The digital photographing apparatus may include: an imagingunit; a storage unit that stores a plurality of video imagessequentially generated in the imaging unit according to live viewphotographing; and a controller that detects a gesture of a user of thedigital photographing apparatus using the plurality of video imagesstored in the storage unit, changes an operation mode of the digitalphotographing apparatus to a zoom adjustment mode when the detectedgesture of the user includes a preset first user gesture, and controls azooming state of the digital photographing apparatus step-by-stepaccording to a moving path of a second user gesture after the first usergesture has ended, when the operation mode has been changed to the zoomadjustment mode.

The controller may calculate a motion vector using the plurality ofvideo images and detect the gesture of the user using the calculatedmotion vector.

The controller may determine whether the calculated motion vector iscalculated in a partial image area of the plurality of video images orin an entire image area of the plurality of video images, detect thegesture of the user using the motion vector calculated after theplurality of video images are post-processed when the motion vector iscalculated in the entire image area, and detect the gesture of the userusing the motion vector directly calculated from the plurality of videoimages when the motion vector is calculated in the partial image area.

The controller may determine that the gesture of the user is the presetfirst user gesture when an angle magnitude of a direction component ofthe calculated motion vector is changed by a preset angle magnitude.

The controller may perform a zoom-in operation when a moving directionof the second user gesture is the same as that of the first usergesture, and perform a zoom-out operation when the moving direction ofthe second user gesture is opposite to that of the first user gesture,where the moving direction of the first user gesture may be a clockwisedirection or a counterclockwise direction.

A zoom magnification according to the zoom-in operation or the zoom-outoperation may be controlled step-by-step based on a moving distance ofthe second user gesture from an ending point of the first user gesture.

The first user gesture and the second user gesture may be gesturesdrawing an arc shape.

The controller may stop the zoom-in operation or the zoom-out operationafter a preset period of time has elapsed from a point of time when thezoom magnification is maximized, a point of time when the zoommagnification is minimized, or a point of time when the second usergesture has stopped, and control the imaging unit to perform imagecapturing when a preset third user gesture for performing the imagecapturing is detected.

The digital photographing apparatus may further include an input unitthat receives an input selection of a gesture photographing mode inwhich the digital photographing apparatus is controlled by the gestureof the user; and a display that displays a pattern having a shapecorresponding to the gesture of the user on a screen when the gesturephotographing mode is selected.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a non-transitorycomputer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a programcode for executing a method of controlling a digital photographingapparatus is provided. The control method may include: detecting agesture of a user of the digital photographing apparatus using aplurality of video images sequentially generated according to live viewphotographing; changing an operation mode of the digital photographingapparatus to a zoom adjustment mode when the detected gesture of theuser includes a preset first user gesture; and controlling a zoomingstate of the digital photographing apparatus step-by-step according to amoving path of a second user gesture after the first user gesture hasended, when the operation mode has been changed to the zoom adjustmentmode.

According to the various exemplary embodiments, the digitalphotographing apparatus may smoothly perform zoom-in or zoom-out in ashort time.

Additional aspects and advantages of the exemplary embodiments will beset forth in the detailed description, will become apparent from thedetailed description, or may be learned by practicing the exemplaryembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and/or other aspects will become more apparent by describingin detail exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a digital photographingapparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram illustrating the digitalphotographing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the digitalphotographing apparatus of FIG. 1:

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another exemplary embodiment of thedigital photographing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5( a) to 5(e) are diagrams illustrating a zoom-in method,according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 6( a) to 6(d) are diagrams illustrating a zoom-out method,according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a photographing control method,according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in more detail withreference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description, same reference numerals are used for thesame elements when they are depicted in different drawings. The mattersdefined in the description, such as detailed construction and elements,are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the exemplaryembodiments. Thus, it is apparent that the exemplary embodiments can becarried out without those specifically defined matters. Also, functionsor elements known in the related art are not described in detail sincethey would obscure the exemplary embodiments with unnecessary detail.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a digital photographingapparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a detailedblock diagram illustrating the digital photographing apparatus ofFIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a digital photographing apparatus100 may wholly or partially include an imaging unit 110, a storage unit120, an input unit 130, a display 140, and a controller 150. Here, theimaging unit 110 may wholly or partially include a lens 111, a lensdriver 112, an iris 113, an iris driver 114, an imaging device 115, animaging device controller 116, and an analog signal processor 117.Further, the storage unit 120 may wholly or partially include a programstorage unit 121, a buffer 122, and a data storage unit 123.

Here, the digital photographing apparatus 100 may be implemented with adigital camera. Alternatively, the digital photographing apparatus 100may be implemented with a user terminal apparatus including a camerafunction, for example, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptopcomputer, a personal digital assistance (PDA), a portable multimediaplayer (PMP), a digital television (TV), and the like, which have acamera function.

The lens 111 may capture an optical signal. Here, the lens 111 mayinclude a zoom lens configured to control a view angle to be narrowed orto be widened according to a focal length, a focus lens configured tofocus on a subject, and the like. Each of the zoom lens and the focuslens may be configured as one lens or a group including a plurality oflenses.

The iris 113 may control an intensity of incident light by controlling adegree of opening thereof.

The lens driver 112 and the iris driver 114 may receive control signalsfrom the controller 150 and drive the lens 111 and the iris 113. Thelens driver 112 controls a location of the lens 100 to control a focallength and performs operations such as auto focusing, zoom changing, andfocus changing. The iris driver 114 may control the degree of opening ofthe iris 113. In particular, the iris driver 114 may control the Fnumber or an aperture value to perform operations such as auto focusing,auto exposure correction, a focus changing, and control of a depth offocus.

The optical signal transmitted from the lens 111 reaches an imaging areaof the imaging device 115, and the imaging device 115 images an opticalimage. Here, the imaging device 15 may use a charge-coupled device(CCD), a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor(CIS), or a high-speed image sensor which convert the optical signalinto an electrical signal. Sensitivity and the like of the imagingdevice 115 may be controlled by the imaging device controller 116. Theimaging device controller 116 may control the imaging device 115according to a control signal automatically generated by a signal inputin real time or a control signal manually input by a user.

An exposure time of the imaging device 115 may be controlled by ashutter (not shown). As the shutter, there are a mechanical shutterconfigured to control incident of light by moving a visor and anelectronic shutter configured to control exposure by providing anelectrical signal to the imaging device 115.

The analog signal processor 117 performs noise reduction processing,gain adjustment, wave shaping, analog-digital conversion processing, andthe like, on an analog signal provided from the imaging device 115.

Therefore, the imaging unit 110 may generate a video image and providethe generated video image to the controller 150.

The storage unit 120 stores various programs and data required for anoperating the digital photographing apparatus 100. Here, the storageunit 120 may include the program storage unit 121 configured to storeoperating system, various programs, and the like, for driving thedigital photographing apparatus 100. Further, the storage unit 120 mayinclude the data storage unit 123 configured to store various pieces ofinformation including a video image file required for the program. Thestorage unit 120 may include the buffer 122 configured to temporarilystore data required during operation or resultant data. In particular,the buffer 122 may temporarily store a plurality of video imagessequentially generated in the imaging unit 110 according to live viewphotographing.

Here, live view photographing means that the user performs photographingwhile the user confirms an image captured in the digital photographingapparatus 100 on the display 140 in real time.

The storage unit 120 may be implemented with an embedded storage devicesuch as a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a read only memory(ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electronically erasableand programmable ROM (EEPROM), a register, a hard disc, a removabledisc, a memory card, or a detachable storage device such as a universalserial bus (USB) memory.

As an example, the storage unit 120 in FIG. 2 is implemented with aplurality of storage units configured to perform different functionsfrom each other, for example, the program storage unit 121, the buffer122, and the data storage unit 123. This is merely an example and shouldnot be construed as limiting. In another embodiment, the storage unit120 may be implemented with one storage unit configured to perform allfunctions of the program storage unit 121, the buffer 122, and the datastorage unit 123.

The input unit 130 receives a user input for operating the digitalphotographing apparatus 100. Specifically, the input unit 130 mayreceive various user inputs, such as a shutter-release user inputconfigured to perform photographing by exposing the imaging device 115to light during a predetermined period of time, a user input configuredto control power on/off, a user input configured to control zoom-in/out,a user input configured to input a character, a user input configured toset white balance, and a user input configured to set exposure.

In particular, the input unit 130 may be configured to receive aselection of a gesture photographing mode, in which a user gesture maycontrol photographing or operation of the digital photographingapparatus 100.

Here, the input unit 130 may be implemented using any one selected fromthe group consisting of various types of buttons, a touch sensorconfigured to receive a touch input to the display 140, a proximitysensor configured not to be in contact with a surface of the display 140and to receive an approaching motion, and a microphone configured toreceive a voice input from the user. However, the input unit 130 is notlimited thereto and the input unit 130 may be implemented with any inputdevices configure to receive the user input.

The display 140 displays a screen. Specifically, the display 140 maydisplay a video image captured by the digital photographing apparatus100. For example, the display 140 may display the video image capturedaccording to the live view photographing in real time.

The display unit 140 may display a screen configured to receiveselection of a gesture photographing mode of the digital photographingapparatus 100. Here, the gesture photographing mode may be a modeconfigured to control photographing of the digital photographingapparatus 100 by the user gesture. When the gesture photographing modeis selected, the display 140 may display a pattern having a shapecorresponding to the user gesture on the screen.

Here, the display 140 may be implemented with at least one selected fromthe group consisting of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin filmtransistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), an organic light-emittingdiode (OLED) display, a flexible display, a three-dimensional (3D)display, and a transparent display.

The controller 150 controls an overall operation of the digitalphotographing apparatus 100. Specifically, the controller 150 may whollyor partially control the imaging unit 110, the storage unit 120, theinput unit 130, and the display 140.

Further, the controller 150 may perform video signal processing forquality improvement, such as noise reduction, gamma correction, colorfilter array interpolation, color matrix, color correction, and colorenhancement on the video image provided by the imaging unit 110.

The controller 150 may perform compression-processing on the video imagegenerated through the video signal processing for quality improvement togenerate a video image file. Here, a video compression format may be areversible format or irreversible format. For example, the video imagemay be converted into a Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) formator a JPEG 200 format. Further, the controller 150 may store thegenerated video image file in the data storage unit 123. The controller150 may restore a video image from the video image file stored in thedata storage unit 123.

The controller 150 may perform sharpness processing, color processing,blur processing, edge enhancement processing, image interpretationprocessing, image recognition processing, image effect processing, andthe like. The image recognition processing may include face recognitionprocessing, scene recognition processing, and the like. For example, thecontroller 150 may perform brightness level adjustment, colorcorrection, contrast adjustment, edge enhancement adjustment,screen-partitioned processing, character image generation, imagesynthesis processing, and the like.

The controller 150 may execute the program stored in the program storageunit 121 or include a separate module to generate a control signal forcontrolling auto focusing, zoom adjustment, focus adjustment, autoexposure correction, and the like, to provide the control signal to thelens driver 112, the iris driver 114, and the imaging device controller116. The controller 150 may control operations of components provided inthe digital photographing apparatus 100, such as a shutter and a flash.

In particular, when the gesture photographing mode—which may controlphotographing of the digital photographing apparatus 100 by the usergesture—is selected, the controller 150 may control an overall operationof the digital photographing apparatus 100 to operate as follows.

Specifically, the controller 150 may temporarily store the plurality ofvideo images, which were sequentially generated in the imaging unit 110according to live view photographing, in the buffer 122. At this time,the controller 150 may detect a gesture of a user for the digitalphotographing apparatus 100 using the plurality of video images storedin the buffer 122. Here, the user gesture may be a hand gesture.Therefore, a first user gesture, a second user gesture, and a third usergesture described below may be hand gestures.

The detecting of the user gesture may include calculating a motionvector using the plurality of video images and detecting the usergesture using the calculated motion vector. Specifically, the controller150 may compare consecutive first and second video images, consecutivesecond and third video images, and consecutive n−1^(th) and n^(th) videoimages among the plurality of video images to calculate the motionvector. The controller 150 may detect the user gesture using thecalculated motion vector.

When the motion vector is calculated, the controller 150 may determinewhether the calculated motion vector is calculated in a partial imagearea of the plurality of video images or in an entire image area of theplurality of video images.

Here, an example in which the motion vector is calculated in the partialimage area of the plurality of video images may be a case in which theuser gesture is performed in a state in which the digital photographingapparatus 100 is fixed. At this time, the motion vector is calculatedonly in the partial image area of the plurality of video imagescorresponding to the user gesture. The controller 150 may detect theuser gesture using the motion vector directly calculated from theplurality of video images.

On the other hand, an example in which the motion vector is calculatedin the entire image area of the plurality of video images may be a casein which the user gesture is performed in a state in which the digitalphotographing apparatus 100 is not fixed. At this time, the motionvector is calculated in the entire image area of the plurality of videoimages. The controller 150 may detect the user gesture using the motionvector calculated after the plurality of video images is post-processed.The post-processing may be global motion compensation (GMC).

When the detected user gesture includes the preset first user gesture,the controller 150 may change an operation mode of the digitalphotographing apparatus 100 into a zoom adjustment mode. Here, the zoomadjustment mode is one mode included in the gesture photographing mode,and the gesture photographing mode may include the zoom adjustment modeand a capture mode. That is, the zoom adjustment mode may be a mode forcontrolling a zooming state of the digital photographing apparatus 100according to the user gesture in the gesture photographing mode. Thecapture mode may be a mode for performing photographing or imagecapturing according to the user gesture in the gesture photographingmode.

Here, when an angle magnitude of a direction component of the calculatedmotion vector is changed by a preset angle magnitude, the controller 150may determine the user gesture as the preset first user gesture. Forexample, when the preset angle magnitude is 120 degrees, and adifference between an angle of a direction component of a motion vectorcalculated at a starting point of a user gesture drawing an arc shapeand an angle of a direction component of a motion vector calculated at aspecific point of the user gesture drawing the arc shape is 120 degrees,the controller 150 may determine the user gesture as the preset firstuser gesture. At this time, the controller 150 may change the operationmode of the digital photographing apparatus 100 into the zoom adjustmentmode at a point of time when the user gesture is determined to be thepreset first user gesture. The controller 150 may recognize a locationof the specific point in which the angel difference is 120 degrees. Thelocation of the specific point may be a point in which the first usergesture (described later) is finished.

When the detected user gesture includes the first user gesture and theoperation mode is changed into the zoom adjustment mode, the controller150 may control the zooming state of the digital photographing apparatus100 step-by-step according to a moving path of the second user gestureafter the first user gesture. Here, the moving path may mean the conceptcovering a moving direction and a moving distance. Further, thecontrolling of the zooming state of the digital photographing apparatus100 may be performed through optical zoom or digital zoom. When opticalzoom is performed, the controller 150 may provide a zooming statecontrol signal to the lens driver 112, and the lens driver 112 may drivethe lens 111 using the provided control signal to control the zoomingstate. When digital zoom is performed, the controller 150 may magnify orreduce the plurality of video images generated in the imaging unit 110to control the zooming state. The operation of the controller 150 willbe described in detail with reference to the above-described digitalzoom when the operation mode is changed into the zoom adjustment mode.

Specifically, the controller 150 may perform a zoom-in operation when amoving direction of the second user gesture is the same as that of thefirst user gesture. Further, the controller 150 may perform a zoom-outoperation when the moving direction of the second user gesture isopposite to that of the first user gesture. Here, the moving directionof the first user gesture may be a clockwise direction or acounterclockwise direction.

The controller 150 may control a zoom magnification step-by-stepaccording to a moving distance of the second user gesture from a pointin which the first user gesture is finished. That is, the controller 150may control the zoom magnification to be increased as the movingdistance of the second user gesture having the same moving direction asthat of the first user gesture from the point in which the first usergesture is finished is increased. At this time, when the zoommagnification is maximized, the zoom-in operation may not be performedany more. Further, the controller 150 may control the zoom magnificationto be reduced as the moving distance of the second user gesture havingthe moving direction opposite to that of the first user gesture from thepoint in which the first user gesture is finished is reduced. At thistime, when the zoom magnification is minimized, the zoom-out operationmay not be performed any more.

Here, the first user gesture and the second user gesture may be a usergesture drawing an arc shape, which is a portion of a circle.

The controller 150 may control the zoom-in operation or the zoom-outoperation to be stopped after a preset period of time has elapsed from apoint of time when the zoom magnification is maximized, a point of timewhen the zoom magnification is minimized, or a point of time when thesecond user gesture has stopped.

When the preset third user gesture for performing photographing or imagecapturing is detected, the controller 150 may change the operation modeof the digital photographing apparatus 100 into the capture mode,capture the video image generated in the imaging unit 110, and performphotographing. Here, the preset third user gesture may be a gesturedrawing a straight line in one direction, such as a gesture for loweringa hand from top to bottom or a gesture for raising a hand from bottom totop.

When the gesture photographing mode is selected, the controller 150 maycontrol the display 140 to display a pattern having a shapecorresponding to the user gesture on a screen.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the digitalphotographing apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 3, the digitalphotographing apparatus 100 may be implemented with a digital camerahaving a shape illustrated in FIG. 3. At this time, when the live viewphotographing starts, the user may perform the above-described usergesture toward the lens of the imaging unit 110, and the digital cameramay detect the user gesture and control the zooming state, and the like.Here, the display 140 of the digital camera may be folded or unfoldedand expanded as illustrated in FIG. 3, so that the user may control thezooming state of the digital camera and the like by the user gesturewhile viewing the video image captured according to the live viewphotographing through the display 140.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another exemplary embodiment of thedigital photographing apparatus of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 4, thedigital photographing apparatus 100 may be implemented with a smartphone including a camera function in the front and/or the back thereof.At this time, when the live view photographing starts, the user mayperform the above-described user gesture toward the lens of the imagingunit 110, and the smart phone may detect the user gesture to control azooming state.

FIGS. 5( a) to 5(e) are diagrams illustrating a zoom-in method,according to an exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 6( a) to 6(d) are diagramsillustrating a zoom-out method, according to an exemplary embodiment. InFIGS. 5( a) to 5(e) and 6(a) to 6(d), for clarity, it is assumed that aregion in which a user gesture moves has a circular shape and the usergesture is a hand gesture.

In FIGS. 5( a) to 5(e) and 6(a) to 6(d), the reference numeral 201denotes a virtual region in which the user gesture moves, 141, 142-1,and 142-2 denote a region in which a pattern having a shapecorresponding to the user gesture is displayed, and 202 denotes a motionvector.

The zoom-in operation illustrated in FIGS. 5( a) to 5(e) will bedescribed in detail with reference to the above-described points.Referring to FIGS. 5( a) to 5(e), in the gesture photographing mode, theuser may perform user gestures as illustrated in FIGS. 5( a) to 5(e)toward the lens of the imaging unit 110. First, when the gesturephotographing mode is executed, the user may start the user gesture at apoint 200-1 as illustrated in FIG. 5( a). At this time, the motionvector 202 at the point 200-1 may have an x degree with respect to areference line (for example, a horizontal line).

On the other hand, the display 140 may display a video image capturedaccording to the live view photographing. Further, the display 140 maydisplay a pattern 142-1 in a location corresponding to the point 200-1in which the user gesture starts.

Then, a hand may be located at a point 200-2 as illustrated in FIG. 5(b) according to a consecutive user gesture, and a motion vector 202 atthe point 200-2 may have a y degree with respect to the reference line.At this time, the controller 150 may determine the user gesture as thepreset first user gesture when a change (from the y degree to the xdegree) in an angle magnitude of a direction component of the calculatedmotion vector 202 is equal to a preset angle magnitude. Therefore, thecontroller 150 may change the operation mode of the digitalphotographing apparatus 100 into the zoom adjustment mode.

The display 140 may display the pattern 142-1 having a shapecorresponding to a user gesture from the point 200-1 at which the usergesture starts. Further, when the operation mode is changed into thezoom adjustment mode, the display 140 may display an identifier (zoommode) 143 for notifying change in the operation mode into the zoomadjustment mode.

According to a consecutive user gesture after the operation mode of thedigital photographing apparatus 100 is changed into the zoom adjustmentmode, as illustrated in FIG. 5( c), the hand may be located at a point200-3. At this time, since the moving direction of the second usergesture after the first user gesture is the same as that of the firstuser gesture, the controller 150 may perform a zoom-in operation. Thezoom magnification according to the zoom-in operation may be ×1.1magnification based on a distance from the point 200-2 in which thefirst user gesture is finished at the point 200-3.

The display 140 may display the pattern 142-2 having a shapecorresponding to the user gesture from the point 200-2 in which thefirst user gesture is finished at the point 200-3. Here, the pattern142-1 having the shape corresponding to the first user gesture and thepattern 142-2 having the shape corresponding to the second user gesturemay be displayed to be distinguished from each other or not to bedistinguished from each other. Further, when the zoom magnification ischanged, the display 140 may display the identifier (×1.1) 143 fornotifying the change of the zoom magnification and display a zoommagnification-changed image on the screen.

According to a consecutive user gesture after the operation mode of thedigital photographing apparatus 100 is changed into the zoom adjustmentmode, as illustrated in FIG. 5( d), the hand may be located at a point200-4. At this time, since the moving direction of the second usergesture is the same as that of the first user gesture, the controller150 may perform a zoom-in operation. The zoom magnification according tothe zoom-in operation may be ×1.6 magnification based on a distance fromthe point 200-2 in which the first user gesture is finished to the point200-4.

The display 140 may display the pattern 142-2 having a shapecorresponding to a user gesture from the point 200-2 in which the firstuser gesture is finished to the point 200-4. When the zoom magnificationis changed, the display 140 may display the identifier (×1.6) 143 fornotifying the change of the zoom magnification and display a zoommagnification-changed image on the screen.

According to a consecutive user gesture after the operation mode of thedigital photographing apparatus 100 is changed into the zoom adjustmentmode, as illustrated in FIG. 5( e), the hand may be located at a point200-5. At this time, since the moving direction of the second usergesture is the same as that of the first user gesture, the controller150 may perform a zoom-in operation. The zoom magnification according tothe zoom-in operation may be ×2.3 magnification based on a distance fromthe point 200-2 in which the first user gesture is finished to the point200-5.

The display 140 may display the pattern 142-2 having a shapecorresponding to a user gesture from the point 200-2 in which the firstuser gesture is finished to the point 200-5. When the zoom magnificationis changed, the display 140 may display the identifier (×2.3) 143 fornotifying the change of the zoom magnification and display a zoommagnification-changed image on the screen.

Hereinafter, the zoom-out method according to an exemplary embodimentwill be described with reference to FIGS. 6( a) to 6(d). In a state inwhich the hand is located at a point 200-5 in the zoom adjustment modeas illustrated in FIG. 6( a), according to a consecutive user gesture,as illustrated in FIG. 6( b), the hand may be located at a point 200-4.Since the moving direction of the second user gesture is opposite tothat of the first user gesture, the controller 150 may perform azoom-out operation. The zoom magnification according to the zoom-outoperation may be ×1.6 magnification based on a distance from the point200-2 (see FIG. 5( b)) in which the first user gesture is finished tothe point 200-4 (see FIG. 5( d)).

The display 140 may display a pattern 142-2 having a shape correspondingto a user gesture from the point 200-2 in which the first user gestureis finished to the point 200-4. When the zoom magnification is changed,the display 140 may display the identifier (×1.6) 143 for notifying thechange of the zoom magnification and display a zoommagnification-changed image on the screen.

In a state in which the hand is located in the point 200-4 in the zoomadjustment mode as illustrated in FIG. 6( b), according to a consecutiveuser gesture, as illustrated in FIG. 6( c), the hand may be located at apoint 200-3. At this time, since the moving direction of the second usergesture is opposite to that of the first user gesture, the controller150 may perform a zoom-out operation. The zoom magnification accordingto the zoom-out operation may be ×1.1 magnification based on a distancefrom the point 200-2 in which the first user gesture is finished to thepoint 200-3.

The display 140 may display the pattern 142-2 having a shapecorresponding to a user gesture from the point 200-2 in which the firstuser gesture is finished to the point 200-3. When the zoom magnificationis changed, the display 140 may display the identifier (×1.1) 143 fornotifying the change of the zoom magnification and display a zoommagnification-changed screen.

As illustrated in FIG. 6( d), when the user performs the third usergesture configured to lower the hand from a point 200-6 to a point200-7, the controller 150 may change the operation mode of the digitalphotographing apparatus 100 into the capture mode, which captures thevideo image generated in the imaging unit 110 to perform photographing.At this time, the display 140 may display a pattern 142-3 having a shapecorresponding to the third user gesture. Further, when the operationmode is changed into the capture mode, the display 140 may display anidentifier (photo shooting) 143 for notifying the mode change.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a photographing control method,according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, first, thecontroller detects a user gesture for controlling or operating thedigital photographing apparatus using a plurality of video imagessequentially generated according to live view photographing (S701).

The detecting in step S701 may include calculating a motion vector usingthe plurality of video images and detecting the user gesture using thecalculated motion vector.

The control method according to an exemplary embodiment may furtherinclude determining whether or not the calculated motion vector iscalculated in a partial image area of the plurality of video images orin an entire image area of the plurality of video images when the motionvector is calculated. When the motion vector is calculated in the entireimage area, the detecting of the user gesture using the calculatedmotion vector may include detecting the user gesture using thecalculated motion vector after the plurality of video images arepost-processed.

On the other hand, when the motion vector is calculated in the partialimage area, the detecting of the user gesture using the calculatedmotion vector may include detecting the user gesture using the motionvector directly calculated from the plurality of video images.

When the detected user gesture includes the preset first user gesture,the controller changes an operation mode of the digital photographingapparatus into the zoom adjustment mode (S702).

Here, when an angle magnitude of a direction component of the calculatedmotion vector is change by a preset angle magnitude, the controller maydetermine the user gesture is the preset first user gesture. When theoperation mode is changed into the zoom adjustment mode, the controllermay control a zooming state of the digital photographing apparatusstep-by-step according to a moving path of the second user gesture afterthe first user gesture (S703).

The controlling in step S703 may include performing a zoom-in operationwhen the moving direction of the second user gesture is the same as thatof the first user gesture, and performing a zoom-out operation when themoving direction of the second user gesture is opposite to that of thefirst user gesture. The moving direction of the first user gesture maybe a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction.

The magnification of the zoom-in or the magnification of the zoom-outmay be controlled step-by-step to be proportional to a moving distanceof the second user gesture using a point when the operation mode ischanged into the zoom adjustment mode as a starting point.

The first user gesture may be a gesture moving in a clockwise directionor a gesture drawing an arc shape, and the second user gesture may be agesture drawing an arc shape from a point in which the first usergesture is finished.

The control method according to an exemplary embodiment may furtherinclude stopping the zoom-in operation or the zoom-out operation whenthe magnification of the zoom-in is maximized, when the magnification ofthe zoom-out is minimized, or when the second user gesture has stoppedor ended.

The control method according to an exemplary embodiment may furtherinclude performing image capturing when the third user gesture forperforming the image capturing is detected.

The control method according to an exemplary embodiment may furtherinclude receiving selection of the gesture photographing mode—which maycontrol photographing of the digital photographing apparatus—by the usergesture, and displaying the pattern having a shape corresponding to theuser gesture on the screen when the gesture photographing mode isselected.

The control method according to an exemplary embodiment may be performedwhen the gesture photographing mode is selected.

The first user gesture, the second user gesture, and the third usergesture may be hand gestures.

The control method of a digital photographing apparatus according to theabove-described various exemplary embodiments may be implemented with aprogram code and provided to the digital photographing apparatuses in astate in which the program code is stored in various non-transitorycomputer-readable media.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference has been made to the embodiments illustrated in thedrawings, and specific language has been used to describe theseembodiments. However, no limitation of the scope of the invention isintended by this specific language, and the invention should beconstrued to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to oneof ordinary skill in the art. The terminology used herein is for thepurpose of describing the particular embodiments and is not intended tobe limiting of exemplary embodiments of the invention. In thedescription of the embodiments, certain detailed explanations of relatedart are omitted when it is deemed that they may unnecessarily obscurethe essence of the invention.

The apparatus described herein may comprise a processor, a memory forstoring program data to be executed by the processor, a permanentstorage such as a disk drive, a communications port for handlingcommunications with external devices, and user interface devices,including a display, touch panel, keys, buttons, etc. When softwaremodules are involved, these software modules may be stored as programinstructions or computer readable code executable by the processor on anon-transitory computer-readable media such as magnetic storage media(e.g., magnetic tapes, hard disks, floppy disks), optical recordingmedia (e.g., CD-ROMs, Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs), etc.), and solidstate memory (e.g., random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM),static random-access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmableread-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, thumb drives, etc.). Thecomputer readable recording media may also be distributed over networkcoupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is storedand executed in a distributed fashion. This computer readable recordingmedia may be read by the computer, stored in the memory, and executed bythe processor.

Also, using the disclosure herein, programmers of ordinary skill in theart to which the invention pertains may easily implement functionalprograms, codes, and code segments for making and using the invention.

The invention may be described in terms of functional block componentsand various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized byany number of hardware and/or software components configured to performthe specified functions. For example, the invention may employ variousintegrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, processingelements, logic elements, look-up tables, and the like, which may carryout a variety of functions under the control of one or moremicroprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, where the elementsof the invention are implemented using software programming or softwareelements, the invention may be implemented with any programming orscripting language such as C, C++, JAVA®, assembler, or the like, withthe various algorithms being implemented with any combination of datastructures, objects, processes, routines or other programming elements.Functional aspects may be implemented in algorithms that execute on oneor more processors. Furthermore, the invention may employ any number ofconventional techniques for electronics configuration, signal processingand/or control, data processing and the like. Finally, the steps of allmethods described herein may be performed in any suitable order unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

For the sake of brevity, conventional electronics, control systems,software development and other functional aspects of the systems (andcomponents of the individual operating components of the systems) maynot be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, orconnectors shown in the various figures presented are intended torepresent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logicalcouplings between the various elements. It should be noted that manyalternative or additional functional relationships, physical connectionsor logical connections may be present in a practical device. The words“mechanism”, “element”, “unit”, “structure”, “means”, and “construction”are used broadly and are not limited to mechanical or physicalembodiments, but may include software routines in conjunction withprocessors, etc.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. Numerous modifications and adaptations will bereadily apparent to those of ordinary skill in this art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by thefollowing claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined notby the detailed description of the invention but by the followingclaims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as beingincluded in the invention.

No item or component is essential to the practice of the inventionunless the element is specifically described as “essential” or“critical”. It will also be recognized that the terms “comprises,”“comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” and “having,” as usedherein, are specifically intended to be read as open-ended terms of art.The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, itshould be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms, which are only used to distinguish oneelement from another. Furthermore, recitation of ranges of values hereinare merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein.

The foregoing exemplary embodiments and advantages are merely exemplaryand are not to be construed as limiting the present inventive concept.The exemplary embodiments can be readily applied to other types ofdevices. Also, the description of the exemplary embodiments is intendedto be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and manyalternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of controlling a digital photographingapparatus, the method comprising: detecting a gesture of a user of thedigital photographing apparatus using a plurality of video imagessequentially generated according to live view photographing; changing anoperation mode of the digital photographing apparatus to a zoomadjustment mode when the detected gesture of the user includes a presetfirst user gesture; and controlling a zooming state of the digitalphotographing apparatus step-by-step according to a moving path of asecond user gesture after the first user gesture has ended, when theoperation mode has been changed to the zoom adjustment mode.
 2. Themethod as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detecting includes:calculating a motion vector using the plurality of video images; anddetecting the gesture of the user using the calculated motion vector. 3.The method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising determining whetherthe calculated motion vector is calculated in a partial image area ofthe plurality of video images or in an entire image area of theplurality of video images, wherein the detecting comprises: detectingthe gesture of the user using the motion vector calculated after theplurality of video images are post-processed when the motion vector iscalculated in the entire image area; and detecting the gesture of theuser using the motion vector directly calculated from the plurality ofvideo images when the motion vector is calculated in the partial imagearea.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 2, further comprisingdetermining that the gesture of the user is the preset first usergesture when an angle magnitude of a direction component of thecalculated motion vector is changed by a preset angle magnitude.
 5. Themethod as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controlling comprises:performing a zoom-in operation when a moving direction of the seconduser gesture is the same as that of the first user gesture; andperforming a zoom-out operation when the moving direction of the seconduser gesture is opposite to that of the first user gesture, wherein themoving direction of the first user gesture is a clockwise direction or acounterclockwise direction.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 5, whereina zoom magnification according to the zoom-in operation or the zoom-outoperation is controlled step-by-step based on a moving distance of thesecond user gesture from an ending point of the first user gesture. 7.The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first user gesture and thesecond user gesture are gestures drawing an arc shape.
 8. The method asclaimed in claim 6, further comprising: stopping the zoom-in operationor the zoom-out operation after a preset period of time has elapsed froma point of time when the zoom magnification is maximized, a point oftime when the zoom magnification is minimized, or a point of time whenthe second user gesture has ended; and performing image capturing when apreset third user gesture for performing the image capturing isdetected.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:receiving selection of a gesture photographing mode in which the digitalphotographing apparatus is controlled by the gesture of the user; anddisplaying a pattern having a shape corresponding to the gesture of theuser on a screen when the gesture photographing mode is selected,wherein the method is performed when the gesture photographing mode isselected.
 10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first usergesture, the second user gesture, and the third user gesture are handgestures.
 11. A digital photographing apparatus, comprising: an imagingunit; a storage unit that stores a plurality of video imagessequentially generated in the imaging unit according to live viewphotographing; and a controller that detects a gesture of a user of thedigital photographing apparatus using the plurality of video imagesstored in the storage unit, changes an operation mode of the digitalphotographing apparatus to a zoom adjustment mode when the detectedgesture of the user includes a preset first user gesture, and controls azooming state of the digital photographing apparatus step-by-step basedon a moving path of a second user gesture after the first user gesturehas ended, when the operation mode has been changed to the zoomadjustment mode.
 12. The digital photographing apparatus as claimed inclaim 11, wherein the controller calculates a motion vector using theplurality of video images and detects the gesture of the user using thecalculated motion vector.
 13. The digital photographing apparatus asclaimed in claim 12, wherein the controller further determines whetherthe calculated motion vector is calculated in a partial image area ofthe plurality of video images or in an entire image area of theplurality of video images, detects the gesture of the user using themotion vector calculated after the plurality of video images ispost-processed when the motion vector is calculated in the entire imagearea, and detects the gesture of the user using the motion vectordirectly calculated from the plurality of video images when the motionvector is calculated in the partial image area.
 14. The digitalphotographing apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the controllerdetermines that the gesture of the user is the preset first user gesturewhen an angle magnitude of a direction component of the calculatedmotion vector is changed by a preset angle magnitude.
 15. The digitalphotographing apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the controllerperforms a zoom-in operation when a moving direction of the second usergesture is the same as that of the first user gesture, and performs azoom-out operation when the moving direction of the second user gestureis opposite to that of the first user gesture, wherein the movingdirection of the first user gesture is a clockwise direction or acounterclockwise direction.
 16. The digital photographing apparatus asclaimed in claim 15, wherein the controller controls a zoommagnification according to the zoom-in operation or the zoom-outoperation step-by-step based on a moving distance of the second usergesture from an ending point of the first user gesture.
 17. The digitalphotographing apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first usergesture and the second user gesture are gestures drawing an arc shape.18. The digital photographing apparatus as claimed in claim 11, whereinthe controller stops the zoom-in operation or the zoom-out operationafter a preset period of time has elapsed from a point of time when thezoom magnification is maximized, a point of time when the zoommagnification is minimized, or a point of time when the second usergesture has stopped, and controls the imaging unit to perform imagecapturing when a preset third user gesture for performing the imagecapturing is detected.
 19. The digital photographing apparatus asclaimed in claim 11, further comprising: an input unit that receives aninput selection of a gesture photographing mode in which the digitalphotographing apparatus is controlled by the gesture of the user; and adisplay that displays a pattern having a shape corresponding to thegesture of the user on a screen when the gesture photographing mode isselected.
 20. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium havingrecorded therein a program code for executing a method of controlling adigital photographing apparatus, the method comprising: detecting agesture of a user of the digital photographing apparatus using aplurality of video images sequentially generated according to live viewphotographing; changing an operation mode of the digital photographingapparatus to a zoom adjustment mode when the detected gesture of theuser includes a preset first user gesture; and controlling a zoomingstate of the digital photographing apparatus step-by-step according to amoving path of a second user gesture after the first user gesture hasended, when the operation mode has been changed to the zoom adjustmentmode.